Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Insteadofself-esteem,theirpublicizedromanceswithmehavegiventhemadeepersenseofinferiority:eachoneofthemknowsthatshe’striedandfailed.Ifdraggingmeintobedissupposedtobeherpublicstandardofvalue,sheknowsthatshecouldn’tliveuptoit.Ithinkthosewomenhatememorethananyothermanonearth.Butmysecretissafe—becauseeachoneofthemthinksthatshewastheonlyonewhofailed,whilealltheotherssucceeded,soshe’llbethemorevehementinswearingtoourromanceandwillneveradmitthetruthtoanybody."
"Butwhathaveyoudonetoyourownreputation?"
Franciscoshrugged."ThosewhomIrespect,willknowthetruthaboutme,soonerorlater.Theothers"—hisfacehardened—"theothersconsiderthatwhichIreallyamasevil.Letthemhavewhattheyprefer—whatIappeartobeonthefrontpages."
"Butwhatfor?Whydidyoudoit?Justtoteachthemalesson?"
"Hell,no!Iwantedtobeknownasaplayboy."
"Why?"
"Aplayboyisamanwhojustcan’thelplettingmoneyrunthroughhisfingers."
"Whydidyouwanttoassumesuchanuglysortofrole?"
"Camouflage."
"Forwhat?"
"Forapurposeofmyown."
"Whatpurpose?"
Franciscoshookhishead."Don’taskmetotellyouthat.I’vetoldyoumorethanIshould.
